SULLIVAN, Ind. — A group of high school students and parents rallied Sunday at a local church in Sullivan, Ind., calling for a “traditional” high school prom that bans gay students from attending.
Officials at Sullivan High School say there’s nothing they can do legally to prevent gay students from attending the school prom, and that has prompted students and parents to take matters into their own hands, reported WTWO-TV.
“We don’t agree with it and it’s offensive to us,” said Diana Medley, a special education teacher at North Central High School in neighboring Farmersburg, Ind, who attended the meeting Sunday at the Sullivan First Christian Church.
Medley told WTWO-TV that she believes homosexuality is a choice, that no one is born gay.
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“I don’t believe that they were born that way. I believe that it was life circumstances and they chose to be that way; God created everyone equal,” said Medley.
“I have kids come to me because of their sexual preference and they know I don’t agree with it, but I care about you. And the same thing for special needs. You know, God puts those people in our life for different reasons.”
Asked by WTWO-TV reporter Paige Preusse if “the same goes for gays? Do you think they have a purpose in life?” Medley responded: “I personally don’t, I’m sorry. I just don’t understand it… A gay student, or adult, or person isn’t going to come up and make some change unless it’s because they realize, ‘You know what, it was a choice and I’m choosing God.’”
The group is working to raise the funds to hold their own “traditional” prom, exclusive of gay students, and has also stared a Facebook group “2013 Sullivan Traditional Prom.”
Several local pastors support the separate prom movement.
“Christians have always been prepared for a fight. Jesus gave us armor for the front, not the back; we’re not running anymore,” said Bill Phegley with Carlisle Church.
But some residents say they disagree, and said the group is just casting stones, instead of spreading love.
Update: The Facebook group referenced above has since been hidden or deleted. An alternate page has been created by supporters of an LGBT-inclusive prom.
